Key papers ✓ 4? 3

• ✓ Positive human RCTJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2006

  Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults.

  Humanssize not reportedRandomizedPlacebo-controlledDouble-blindTrials of 28 and 49 days

  Two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind ascending-dose trials (single doses in study 1; two or three weekly or biweekly doses in study 2)

  In two placebo-controlled ascending-dose trials in healthy adults aged 21-61, a single injection raised GH 2- to 10-fold for 6+ days and IGF-I 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 days (half-life 5.8-8.1 days); no serious adverse reactions.

  Key resultSingle injection raised mean plasma GH 2- to 10-fold for 6 d or more and IGF-I 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 d; estimated half-life 5.8-8.1 d; no serious adverse reactions

  Study details

  Studied

  Healthy adults aged 21-61 years

  Compared with

  Placebo

  Main outcome

  Peak concentrations and AUC of GH and IGF-I; CJC-1295 pharmacokinetics

  Sample

  Number of subjects not stated in abstract

  Authors' conclusion

  Subcutaneous CJC-1295 produced sustained, dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-I in healthy adults and was safe and relatively well tolerated, particularly at 30 or 60 microg/kg; data support potential therapeutic utility.

  Limitations

  Healthy adults only; sample size not stated in abstract.

  DOI 10.1210/jc.2005-1536PubMed 16352683
• ✓ Positive human trialJ Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2006

  Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog.

  Humanssize not reported1 week after injection

  Before-and-after study: overnight 12-h sampling every 20 min before and 1 week after a single injection of 60 or 90 microg/kg CJC-1295

  In healthy men aged 20-40, one injection raised trough GH 7.5-fold, mean GH 46% and IGF-I 45% a week later while preserving normal GH pulsatility.

  Key resultTrough GH 7.5-fold higher (P < 0.0001); mean GH levels +46% (P < 0.01); IGF-I +45% (P < 0.001); pulse frequency and magnitude unaltered

  Study details

  Studied

  Healthy men aged 20-40

  Compared with

  Same subjects before injection

  Main outcome

  GH pulsatility, trough and mean GH, IGF-I

  Sample

  Number of men not stated in abstract

  Authors' conclusion

  CJC-1295 increased trough and mean GH secretion and IGF-I production with preserved GH pulsatility; long-acting GHRH preparations may have clinical utility in patients with intact pituitary GH secretory capability.

  Limitations

  No placebo control stated; healthy men only.

  DOI 10.1210/jc.2006-1702PubMed 17018654
• ? Inconclusive human trialGrowth Horm IGF Res · 2009

  Activation of the GH/IGF-1 axis by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, results in serum protein profile changes in normal adult subjects.

  Humans11 peopleOne week after CJC-1295 injection

  Before-and-after serum proteomics (2D gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry)

  In 11 healthy young men, a CJC-1295 injection altered several serum proteins (e.g., apolipoprotein A1 and transthyretin isoforms) a week later; a biomarker study, not a test of clinical benefit.

  Key resultTwo protein spots decreased (apolipoprotein A1 and transthyretin isoforms) and three increased (beta-hemoglobin and albumin/immunoglobulin fragments); a linear relationship was found between one spot and IGF-1 levels

  Study details

  Studied

  Healthy young adult men

  Compared with

  Same subjects before treatment

  Main outcome

  Serum protein changes and correlation with GH/IGF-1

  Sample

  Sera from 11 healthy young adult men before and one week after CJC-1295

  Authors' conclusion

  The identified proteins may represent potential biomarkers of GH and/or IGF-1 action, although the molecular links remain to be clarified.

  Limitations

  Biomarker discovery in 11 men without a control group; not a test of clinical benefit.

  DOI 10.1016/j.ghir.2009.03.001PubMed 19386527Free full text
• ? Inconclusive systematic reviewAm J Sports Med · 2026

  Peptide Supplements and Their Therapeutic Applications in Sports Medicine.

  No new data

  Scoping review (PubMed, PRISMA)

  Scoping review including CJC-1295 concluded that claimed musculoskeletal recovery and performance benefits are unsubstantiated by human trials and that these peptides should not be recommended.

  Study details

  Studied

  Literature on 6 peptides (BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, MK-677, ipamorelin, GHK-Cu) for musculoskeletal recovery

  Main outcome

  Musculoskeletal recovery and performance in animal and human models

  Authors' conclusion

  67% of publications were preclinical; human data were limited and showed modest improvements at best. Claimed benefits remain unsubstantiated by human trials, and these peptides should not currently be recommended.

  Limitations

  Few, poorly controlled human studies; heterogeneous dosing and routes.

  DOI 10.1177/03635465261464420PubMed 42578445
• ✓ Positive animalAm J Physiol Endocrinol Metab · 2006

  Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse.

  Animalssize not reportedPlacebo-controlled5 weeks

  2 microg CJC-1295 given every 24, 48 or 72 h vs placebo

  In GHRH-knockout mice, daily CJC-1295 for 5 weeks normalized body weight, length and body composition; dosing every 48-72 h was less effective.

  Study details

  Studied

  GHRH knockout mice (1 week old at start), with heterozygous mice as controls

  Compared with

  Placebo-treated GHRH knockout mice and heterozygous controls

  Main outcome

  Body weight, length, body composition, pituitary GH mRNA

  Authors' conclusion

  Once-daily CJC-1295 maintained normal body composition and growth in GHRH knockout mice; the same dose was less effective every 48 or 72 h.

  Limitations

  Mouse model of GHRH deficiency; no numbers in abstract.

  DOI 10.1152/ajpendo.00201.2006PubMed 16822960
• ✓ Positive animalEndocrinology · 2005

  Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog.

  Animalssize not reported2-h GH response; plasma persistence beyond 72 h

  Subcutaneous administration of maleimido GRF derivatives, comparing GH response with unmodified hGRF(1-29)

  In rats, CJC-1295 bound to albumin, persisted in plasma beyond 72 h and gave a 4-fold greater GH response over 2 h than unmodified hGRF(1-29).

  Key resultCJC-1295 gave a 4-fold increase in GH AUC over 2 h compared with hGRF(1-29) and was present in plasma beyond 72 h

  Study details

  Studied

  Normal male Sprague Dawley rats and cultured rat anterior pituitary cells

  Compared with

  hGRF(1-29)

  Main outcome

  GH area under the curve; plasma persistence

  Authors' conclusion

  CJC-1295 was identified as a stable, active hGRF(1-29) analog with an extended plasma half-life via binding to serum albumin.

  Limitations

  Rat study; early characterization paper.

  DOI 10.1210/en.2004-1286PubMed 15817669
• ? Inconclusive reviewFront Endocrinol (Lausanne) · 2026

  The emerging landscape of performance-enhancing peptides modulating GH-IGF1 axis: bridging the gap between clinical evidence and patient self-administration.

  No new data

  Narrative review of unregulated GH-IGF-1 axis peptides including PEG-MGF

  A 2026 narrative review of GH-IGF-1 axis 'research compound' peptides, including CJC-1295 with and without DAC, ranks them by evidence tier and concludes performance and recomposition benefits are unproven, with reported class adverse effects including prolactin and cortisol rises, dysglycaemia, fluid retention, myalgia and injection-site reactions.

  Study details

  Authors' conclusion

  Peptides are stratified into evidence tiers from regulatory-grade trial data to no human studies; performance benefits are uncertain, and the authors propose a clinical assessment algorithm without legitimising off-label use.

  Limitations

  Narrative review; some peptides lack human studies.

  DOI 10.3389/fendo.2026.1822475PubMed 42395176Free full text
  Figure 2 Figure 1

Reported side effects

Short-term trials in healthy adults reported no serious adverse reactions but the abstracts do not list specific adverse effects; there is no long-term human safety data.

1 registered human trial (0 active)

✓ positive · ✗ negative · ~ mixed · ? inconclusive, judged on each paper's own main outcome. Grades: A strong human evidence → D little or none. Papers and verdicts are drawn from PubMed, Europe PMC and Russian journals (CyberLeninka); not medical advice.